We've been a little busy this week, so this will be a long entry. To begin with, Rox and I were sitting on the deck watching the huge waves come in, when we noticed a really huge one coming that was a "double"--meaning that there were two crests coming at us about 20 feet apart.

From previous entries, you will notice that we were using multiple ropes to hold the fence from tilting into the ocean, and these ropes were tighter than bowstrings...

So...when this double wave keeps building, we both exclaim (Look at that!!!), and watch helplessly as the first crest broadsides the stonework in the fence, stands it up, (just like a boxer will do with the famous One-Two Punch--stand 'em up, and then knock 'em out!), and then the second crest slammed into the fence, tilted it toward us at a 60 degree angle, actually shifted three posts and piers, and snapped off two posts. and then we watched as the combined weight of the stonework slowly overcame the construction and gently laid the valiant fence on its side.

We took this shot of the guys as they finished up sandbagging for the day, because the waves were coming in and soaking their feet. (about 30 minutes later, that fence was horizontal...)

We really liked our fence, but we both exclaimed that we're kind of relieved that it fell, because we each were wondering how we were going to salvage a fence that was standing on almost nothing, 4 feet in the air...

And...we didn't have much time to mope, because these huge waves are wiping out our yard at about one meter per tide...so the guys have been busy filling sand bags to see if we can stop this onward erosion.

The Pacific waters are over five degrees warmer than normal right now, and that is equal to the terrible El Nino that did so much damage to everyone in 1997, so we are not the only ones suffering. In fact, nearly everyone has lost a fence, a vacant building is toast, and one next door to us has lost 30 feet of yard, and is about two feet from losing the forward posts that hold it up.

Palm trees are being uprooted and ride the waves all over the place...

Right now, the high tide is coming in, making a ton of noise, and the guys are trying like mad to hold off the erosion that is sure to set in today.

The guys finished this just before the tide will hit, so it won't look this neat tomorrow...

Now the story gets really interesting!!!

Turns out that last night after 11:00 pm, we heard a lot of people talking and whistling outside of our house on the beach. We got up and looked out, and it looked like Children of the Corn, what with everyone carrying a flashlight or cellphone light...needless to say, we were pretty worried, until Alfonso and Isidro came up to tell us that the people of the town were mad that we, and others, had received no help from the government, and they had called all the TV stations! So...it appeared that they were taking flash pics of our damage, and the upshot of it was , that they would be back when it was light to take video and interview us, maybe...

Three TV stations were represented early this morning, when we were getting the guys started sandbagging. I was interviewed by three stations for play at 5:00 pm tonight. So, if you see me, please just disregard my halting Spanish, and lack of organization--it is hard enough to sound intelligent when a camera and mike are in your face, let enough try to do it in a second language.

It's a good thing I can talk with my hands...

The man listening in, wearing the orange vest, is the Chief Engineer of Public Works for our State, and is the boss of the engineer who took down all my info for his report. I was also impressed that he thanked my be email within two hours after I had sent him documents showing the damage.

To give you an idea of the power of the waves we are facing, this rip rap is 20 feet wide, and the waves just roared right over the rocks and undermined the road. That is being fixed today, and the engineers told us that they might be able to spare some of the big equipment to give us some temporary help, with more permanent help slated for about two months off.

As you can see, these monster boulders are significantly larger than our poor little rocks that we used to keep out Mama Natura, and it looks as if we might have some of these in our future, courtesy of the Province of St Elena. So...everyone, stay tuned, because I see pretty big waves shaping up outside my office window...

This texan has been reading your post now everyday-I feel sorry about the brutal damage done by El Nino waves and we pray that it will end swiftly and you will save your beautiful home-the reading has become like following a soap opera for me and your joy and sorrow has become mine too!I would love to meet with you on my visit to coast in mid feb--Please let me know how to contact you-- may god blessyou both--Yusuf

This texan has been reading your post now everyday-I feel sorry about the brutal damage done by El Nino waves and we pray that it will end swiftly and you will save your beautiful home-the reading has become like following a soap opera for me and your joy and sorrow has become mine too!I would love to meet with you on my visit to coast in mid feb--Please let me know how to contact you-- may god blessyou both--Yusuf